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Topic: Camps (Read 16766 times)

Camp season is fast approaching, and I thought it would be nice if we got a list of area Orthodox summer camps. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š They can be pricey, I know, but not only is is a valuable experience for your children, but often times there are scholarships available from your church. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š You can check with your Priest about this. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š I'll copy links up here to the top post for easy reference.

Here's mine: Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š http://detroit.goarch.org/mdsc/Awesome place, in a very lovely area of Michigan. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š It draws kids from a tri state area, and as far away as new York State. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š My kids had a BLAST last year, our church arranged it so that the week our parish Priest was going to be there, we all sent our kids the same week for camp. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€š Great fun and all the kids clamored to go back.

Unfortunately, the only one in TX is in the OCA, and the site says it's not being held this year, :'( and there's a GOA camp in MO whose website hasn't been updated in almost four years, BUT, if any of you from around here want a REALLY good camping experience and are willing to make the trip, look into Camp St. Raphael near Tulsa, OK. Excellent facilities and a well-organized, fun experience for all.

The cost is:$275 early early bird ($150 deposit, full amount due before I think May $300 regular ($100 deposit, full amount due before like June 10 or something)$325 late ($100 deposit, full amount due before your kid comes)

"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov

Does anybody know good Orthodox camps/spiritual retreat centers in the tri-state area and areas near Philadelphia and the Poconos, PA?

God bless.

Mina

Our kids from the PGH Metropolis go to the camp in Mercer, PA (Camp Nazareth). The "Greeks" use the camp from Mid-June to Mid-July (4 one-week sessions), and the Carpatho-Rus from the end of July into August; all Orthodox Christians are invited when the Orthodox are using the camp. THe only other camp I've heard of being operated in PA is Antiochian Village, which I think does multi-week sessions. The Village is quite a camp, and has a lot to offer the kids.

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"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov

Oh, and if by Tri-State you are referring to areas near NY, then I think the Metropolis of New Jersey, along with the Archdiocesan District of NY, operate Camp Good Shepherd, but I don't know the details.

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"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov

Oh, and if by Tri-State you are referring to areas near NY, then I think the Metropolis of New Jersey, along with the Archdiocesan District of NY, operate Camp Good Shepherd, but I don't know the details.

For Oriental Orthodox I've heard more of conventions being held rather than camps. As a kid I went to my local Greek camp and I also went once to a OO run Convention which was closer to me than the EO "Orthodox Camp Metamorphosis".

However I always had my eye set on the Orthodox camp IN Greece "Ionian Village"- never made it as the price is something hefty like $3000 US.

For Oriental Orthodox I've heard more of conventions being held rather than camps. As a kid I went to my local Greek camp and I also went once to a OO run Convention which was closer to me than the EO "Orthodox Camp Metamorphosis".

However I always had my eye set on the Orthodox camp IN Greece "Ionian Village"- never made it as the price is something hefty like $3000 US.

Yes, indeed, but I think camps are also a great idea nonetheless where "conventions" can be held, considering all the activities done.

I was looking more into spiritual retreat centers perhaps, where a private class of about no more than 30 (rather than a gathering of hundreds of youth from churches in a certain area) would enjoy.

God bless.

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Vain existence can never exist, for "unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127)

If the faith is unchanged and rock solid, then the gates of Hades never prevailed in the end.

why are all these camps held either up north or in the west? Not only can the cost of camp be cost prohibitive, but you have the driving and gas issues to consider this year.

I wish there was a camp that included the family or at least like father/son or mother/daughter We like to do things as a family if we are going to spend money. Protestant camps abound, but we would really be oddballs now!

well, if'n ya'll hear of a camp in the south, say Georgia or SC or NC that would be great!I can't see having dh take off a week to stay here while I went with one or two children and he stayed with all the others. Not a good use of precious vacation time.

I need to invent a Southern Orthodox family get together eh? Like the protestant "momy's gatherings of families. They go to Williamsburg VA every single year, but there is a big contingent of Orthodox families in the mix that meet at a local parish. Guess it's time I got on the ball and got creative for families.

They also have their annual pilgrimage (which our family went to last year) in May each year.

I also believe that if you contact them, they will allow you to camp on their 80+ acres as a family. But you would need to contact them to be sure. It is a lovely area.

I think the reason there are "so few" camps in the South is because the Orthodox churches are so spread out. But I think that there is a camp in SC done by the Greeks. I am sure that with a little investigating you could find something suitable.

Also, there is a Greek camp around Chicago called Phanari, which is only for 1 or 2 weeks. I think that they're going to try to expand it this year, also run by the GOA here is some information for that: I'm trying to find a link, but no luck. Camp FanariContact: Rev. William Chiganos 2501 S. Wolf Road Westchester, IL 60154 708-562-2744

Also contact Christ Avromopoulos at 773-626-5400 gochicagoyouth@aol.comIf you want more info on camps in the chicago area.

Yes, indeed, but I think camps are also a great idea nonetheless where "conventions" can be held, considering all the activities done.

I was looking more into spiritual retreat centers perhaps, where a private class of about no more than 30 (rather than a gathering of hundreds of youth from churches in a certain area) would enjoy.

God bless.

1) I imagine most EO camps would let OO kids come as well. You'd just have to contact the priest in charge. I bet, in general, it would be a positive experience for OO kids, especially if they went with at least a few friends.

2) Many of these EO camps are at sites that are not actually permanently owned by the EO Church in question (SOME of them are, e.g. Antiochian Village, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston camp site, et al.). Otherwise, the EO Church just "rents" the camp site/facilities for a time. Some of the sites are owned by the Boy Scouts, YMCA or some other organization. I'm sure you could do the same if you wanted to put together a retreat for OO kids, especially if you did so during the off-season. Also, I know that the GOA Boston Metropolis camp, which is in New Hampshire, regularly rents its facilities out to parishes for their own smaller retreats and events. I'm sure other EO-owned facilities do the same. You might want to just send an e-mail to the one nearest you.

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But for I am a man not textueel I wol noght telle of textes neuer a deel. (Chaucer, The Manciple's Tale, 1.131)

Our kids from the PGH Metropolis go to the camp in Mercer, PA (Camp Nazareth). The "Greeks" use the camp from Mid-June to Mid-July (4 one-week sessions), and the Carpatho-Rus from the end of July into August; all Orthodox Christians are invited when the Orthodox are using the camp. THe only other camp I've heard of being operated in PA is Antiochian Village, which I think does multi-week sessions. The Village is quite a camp, and has a lot to offer the kids.

I used to attend Camp Nazereth as a teenager. It was a great time and I have really fond memories.

I know that there were a bunch of kids that always came in by bus from NJ/NY/NE each year and although I was a local from Pittsburgh, I would always go that week. I still have many friends from those times and remember the visiting priests, services, etc. We even made our own icons one year and had them blessed by the bishop.

I highly recommend Camp Nazareth for those considering sending the kids off to church camp!

Speaking of summer/camp opportunities for Orthodox young people: Here's an e-mail from the GOA Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, which includes some of the best summer opportunities for college and high school students.

In particular, I highly recommend the CrossRoad program, which has proven to be a stellar and eye-opening spiritual experience for juniors and seniors in high school.

Metropolis of Pittsburgh Summer Camp(it's not just for Greeks!)at Camp Nazareth, Mercer, PA

JOY (Ages 8-12, although 7- and 13-year olds are also welcome)Session 1: June 15-21Session 2: June 22-28

GOYA (Ages 13-18)Session 3: June 29-July 5Session 4: July 6-12

If you'd like more info, go to pittsburgh.goarch.org to download the application form. Any questions, PM me.

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"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."" Isaac Asimov

one more camp approaching fast...And while you can't rent a cabin or pitch a tent due to the lateness of this notice, you can visit the camp during the day for the nominal fee (or someother arrangement)...Sky Camp outside of Eugene, Oregon is having their annual pan-Orthodox Camp Retreat on the 26th - 30th of July. I'm doing the food this year, God help me, and we'll have a lake to swim in, fishing, workshops, a children's play and much much more...the link is below...v

For those in the Mid Atlantic south, there is Camp Nazareth in Mercer, Pa, one hour north of Pittsburgh. There are seven weeks of Orthodox camping, four by the Greek Metropolis of Pittsburgh and three by ACROD, the camp's owner/operator. It is a beautiful full service camp with a wonderful wooden church.

^ Thanks for this, although it is the first time I have ever heard it suggested that Pittsburgh is located in Dixie.

Last I knew Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia (not to mention Pennsyltucky ) were not part of Dixie and Northern Virginia has been kicked out of the club in recent years.

Arguable. Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia are south of the Mason-Dixon. Delaware is east and, therefore, "north." But...

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"The states in dark red are almost always included in modern day definitions of the Southern United States, while those in medium red are usually included. Those cross-shaded [including Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia] are sometimes included due to their historic connections to the South."